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Man tells police officer to shoot him

A Niagara Falls man, who told a Niagara Regional Police officer to shoot him, has been placed on probation for three years.

Ian McPhail, 24, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty Wednesday in an Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines to a charge of assault with a weapon. The offence took place June 1 in the parking lot of the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls.

Assistant Crown attorney Linda Scaringi said McPhail was walking through the parking lot of the convention centre when a female employee was pulling into the lot. McPhail was seen running up to a traffic pylon in the lot and began stabbing it violently with a knife.

McPhail then ran up to the employee’s vehicle, gave her the finger and then showed his knife. Police were called and when a female officer arrived at about 6:30 a.m., she tried to get control of him but he told her “shoot me you bitch.”

When McPhail was arrested and handcuffed he was found to be in possession of a knife with a three-inch blade.

Niagara Emergency Medical Services personnel attended and he was taken to the Greater Niagara General Hospital because he appeared to be intoxicated by drugs and alcohol.

Court heard McPhail is employed at a restaurant and has had no previous involvement with police.

“This was an extremely frightening situation for the person who was involved,” said Scaringi, adding staff at the convention centre were concerned because McPhail is known to cut across their parking lot.

McPhail told court he didn’t remember any of it and that it was “one of the worst nights I’ve ever had.” He also claimed he has stopped drinking.

Judge Fred Forsyth handed McPhail a suspended sentence and three years of probation. His terms include not to have any contact with the victim and to stay away from the Scotiabank Convention Centre, in particular the parking lot. He is also to attend any counselling recommended by his probation officer for such things as substance abuse including drugs and alcohol. McPhail is also prohibited from owning any weapons, firearms or ammunition for five years.